Baby skunk, need help

[cookiebun]

We found this baby skunk:
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5011/70450976.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/70450976.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7918/84918250.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/232/84918250.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8836/74368059.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/526/74368059.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Does any one know it the state of Ohio allows baby skunks to be rehabilitated? If we trap an adult skunk they gas the poor thing because of rabies.
Any guess as to the little skunk's age? He's not very lively. he let me pick him up no problem. He doesn't seem to recognize solid food and though he seemed thirsty, he hasn't drunk from the bowl.


I have to go back to work but my husband will monitor this thread while I am gone.
Skunk is asleep in our bathtub now.

[pappy1264]

try offering some fruit, some dog kibble (you can soak it so it is soft) or canned food. It should still be getting formual. I am guessing from the pic, it is around 5 weeks or so (can you see if it has teeth yet, if not, it is younger then that.) May be dehydrated, you will need to get a syringe to try to get some pedialtye into it. But try the fruit and some soaked dog kibble and see if it will take that. and you will need formula, too. I am not not Ohio, but we do have a licensed rehabber from there, I will send her a link for this post adn see if she is around to help.

Ok, sent a private message and email, so hopefully she will be on soon.

[cookiebun]

Thanks! Have given him an apple slice- is sleeping under a towel right now.

[Kelly Brady]

I am sorry I have no knowledge on skunks to offer you, but you sure are wonderful to have helped this little guy.

Thanks to you both. I hope he comes around nicely.:wave123

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome
thinking the bathtub will be too cool in temp..
can you make sure he is up off the tub itself and has a heat source..
you can fill a large tube sock with dry rice, heat in microwave for 30-40 seconds..
smish smash the rice around to distribute any hot spots..
you'll have to reheat this every couple hours..
two reasons for a rice buddy,
his comfort metally, he will feel secure and not alone...also helps with pain and circulation..
and if he gets cold, his organs will shut down..
no fluids should be fed until he is completely warm and you hopefully see urine..
calm quiet and warm
we really do not advise towels due to past toe/foot/leg injures due to the nails getting caught, t shirts are a good option.:thumbsup
I am not a skunk rehabber, just giving some minor support until someone comes on that is a skunk advisor..
TSB has had alot alot of skunk rescues this last week, wow...

Once he is warm , he needs to be hydrated..
do you have a syinge?
store bought or home made pedialyte..
1 quart warm water
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar,
mix and slowly feed holding head up and tail down..
DO NOT lean him back like a human baby...slow is key
if any fluid comes out his nose, gently tip his nose to the floor and allow it to drain from nasal and lungs...

no pets or children please...

hoping someon comes on soon...
I will get a few links of info skunk sites...brb
:bowdown

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://www.stripedbandits.com/


this is the contact info for a skunk guru
mary@animaladvocates.us

and here is the manual she is associated with
http://www.animaladvocates.us/skunkmanual.pdf

I will Pm some skunk peeps to this thread..
thank you for helping him, hope he can recover:Love_Icon

[jacey]

Contact Deb Cipriani with Skunkhaven at 216-210-3280. She is in Ohio.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:thankyou :poke that was fast!!!:bowdown :wave123
Contact Deb Cipriani with Skunkhaven at 216-210-3280. She is in Ohio.

[cookiebun]

Good info, thanks everyone!

[Anne]

Should you need any more help with the skunk, pop back on the board. I'll be keeping an eye on here :D .

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

What part of Ohio are you in? Did you contact Skunk Haven?

[cookiebun]

What part of Ohio are you in? Did you contact Skunk Haven?


Central Oh.
Skunk Haven is up north.

[cookiebun]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, this board is just great.
We took the little skunk to this place:
http://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/
Our timing was perfect because 2 skunk fans were on duty.
They said she (it's a girl!) was of good weight but too lethargic.
They gave fluids and put her in an incubator. Pedialyte was mentioned.
I'm pretty confident they aren't just going to gas her.
Poor little thing lost her mom. :thankyou

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Ohio wildlife center is a good center. I know several people who work and volunteer there and they have big hearts. That is the center that is close to the vet school at OSU and I'm planning to start volunteering there in August when I move to Columbus :).

[cookiebun]

Jackie in Tampa,
Thanks for taking the time to type out all that advice.

Since I am not vaccinated for rabies I didn't think it would be a good idea to handle the little skunk much. My husband was looking at a rehab site for skunks that linked to the Ohio Wildlife Center. I figured if OWC was killing skunks the skunk fans wouldn't link to them. When we walked in the receptionist said the resident skunk person was there so it seems to have worked out ok.

As thanks for all the help, here's the last pic we got of the little skunk.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6863/61496681.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/61496681.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Here's a picture of her hiding in the drain hole, poor little thing. It's no place for a baby skunk:
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6/23875481.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/23875481.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[TinyPaws]

I know some people here in Ohio who have pet skunks, some are USDA licenced to breed and sell.